Akwa United suffered a crushing defeat on the opening day of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) with a 5-3 loss against Bayelsa United in Yenagoa.
Bayelsa United forward Robert Mizo stood out with a remarkable hat-trick to begin his journey this season.
Akwa United got the first goal in the 20th minute, courtesy of a goal by Hadi Mohammed. However, the hosts responded swiftly when Alex Jerry netted the equalizer just seven minutes later.
The Promise Keepers managed to regain their lead seven minutes before halftime when Seyi Oguntayo’s volley found the back of the net. However, Bayelsa United fought back valiantly, and Robert Mizo leveled the scores at halftime.
A hattrick for Bayelsa United forward Robert Mizo on the opening day of the NPFL season.
— Nsidibe Akpan (@nsidibeakpan23) September 30, 2023
Mizo is not trending because it's the Nigerian League.#BAYAKW#NPFL24 pic.twitter.com/z66wpxavxF
READ MORE: Coach Edward Green joins Sporting Lagos from Akwa United
Upon the resumption of play, both teams continued to press forward, creating scoring opportunities, but these were either thwarted by vigilant goalkeepers or squandered by the attackers. With fifteen minutes left in the game, midfielder Oguntayo Seyi once again put the Promise Keepers in the lead with a spectacular long-range shot into the top left corner.
The home team demonstrated remarkable resilience as Robert Mizo intercepted a back pass from Etim Mathew, equalizing in the 82nd minute before heading home a corner kick three minutes from time to give his team the lead for the first time in the match. The comeback was finalized when Emmanuel Nneoyi capitalized on a quick counter-attack, finishing with precision.
On Matchday 2, Bayelsa United will be on the road to face Doma United at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe State while Akwa United returns to take on NPFL newcomers Sporting Lagos at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Sunday, October 8, 2023.
